2023 will be a busy year at our Roatan field site!
We have 5 universities bringing students to Roatan to participate in DCP’s Animal Behavior field course(s)!
31 Dec. ’22 – 7 Jan. ’23: Colorado State University (CSU students) – Animal Behavior & Physiology
7 – 14 January 2023: Colorado State University (CSU students) – Animal Behavior & Physiology
14 – 21 January 2023: University of Rhode Island (URI students) – Animal behavior & Physiology
11 – 18 March 2023: St. Mary’s University (StMU students only) – Animal Behavior & Psychology
14 – 28 May 2023: York University (York students only) – Animal Behavior & Philosophy
27 May – 3 June 2023: Colorado State University (CSU students) – Animal Behavior & Physiology
3 – 17 June 2023 – University of Bologna (special Master Course field program, contact DCP for details)
Continue reading for more general information on these courses, held at Anthony’s Key Resort (AKR) and the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS):
*Course fee, with credits through each school: $TBD (includes accommodations, meals, instruction, tuition, airfare, insurance and study abroad fee; depends on school and program)
*Course fee, registration through DCP: TBD (includes accommodations, meals & instruction only. No tuition, airfare or insurance.)
*Contact info {at} dcpmail {dot} org
*Course description: Lectures tend to focus on understanding animal behavior and physiology (or psychology) from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Readings and discussion focus on current research and methodology. Fieldwork allows students to develop skills necessary to conduct behavioral assessment of physiology and animal behavior research; and to demonstrate these skills by participating in independent research with senior scientists at the field location(s). The field component for your Animal Behavior course is planned to be at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (Roatan, Honduras).
*Course structure: Students are introduced to the study of animal behavior and the behavioral assessment of physiology using a combination of lectures, readings, discussion, and hands-on research with a captive dolphin population.
*A maximum of 16 students will be accepted to this program. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Application deadlines vary by school. Stay tuned for deposit and full payment deadlines.
*Airfare costs will depend on your home airport. To get an estimate, search for flights from your home airport to RTB. All students can and should fly direct from USA to Roatan and can do so from Miami (American Airlines), Atlanta (Delta) or Houston (United).
*If registering through DCP and seeking credit through your home university/college, tuition costs depend on your university/college’s fees and policies. Contact your registrar or study abroad department. All students interested in course credit, but not registering through CSU, are responsible for coordinating course credit with their home universities/colleges.
*Continue reading for general details on DCP field courses to Roatan, Honduras. NOTE: specific details, mainly related to course topics, may vary.
Course Description & Objectives
Lectures tend to focus on understanding animal behavior from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Readings and discussion focus on current research and methodology. Fieldwork allows students to develop skills necessary to conduct animal behavior research and to demonstrate these skills by participating in independent research with senior scientists at the field location(s). The field component for your Animal Behavior course is planned to be at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (Roatan, Honduras).
Check out the below video for more information:
Class Format & Attendance
The class takes place at a field location and attendance at all lectures, activities, and training sessions is mandatory. The format of the classroom meetings will be lecture style and discussion-oriented. Questions and class participation are strongly encouraged. Training sessions and research hours are also mandatory for the safety of the student and the animals.
Course Structure, Daily Activities & Objectives
Students are introduced to the study of animal behavior using a combination of lectures, readings, discussion, and hands-on research with a captive dolphin population. Non-travel portions of this course will be completed remotely, via the free Internet communication program, Skype. There will be one Skype connection prior to class start and 1 or 2 connections after the field portion is completed for students writing a paper towards a grade and credit.
Daily lectures and field observations will be completed with a formal syllabus provided at the start of the class. The exact schedule each day while in the field is dependent on weather and other logistics. Students may be divided into teams that rotate in assisting with data collection for DCP’s long-term, longitudinal studies.
The class takes place at one of DCP’s field locations and attendance at all lectures, activities, and training sessions is mandatory when in the field. The format of the classroom meetings will be lecture style and discussion-oriented. Questions and class participation are strongly encouraged. Training sessions and research hours are also mandatory for the safety of the student and the animals.
Travel to the Field
Students are responsible for the expenses and reservations related to their own travel to and from the field site. Details regarding potential group rates will be provided if and when they have been identified. Please check with your airline at the time of booking for baggage allowances and other restrictions. US Citizens are required to travel with a valid passport. Students with other citizenship should check with their native country.
Food in the Field
3 meals a day are included in your course fee. Typical meals include fresh fruits and vegetables, rice or pasta, and a rotation of beef, chicken or fish. You must inform us of special dietary restrictions at the time of registration. Snacks or other treats are your responsibility.
Money in the Field
The US dollar is accepted on Roatan, Honduras. Major credit cards, traveler’s checks and cash can be used to purchase incidentals.
Who can participate?
Anyone fluent in English and over 18 years old can participate. However, students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program are given first-priority. Registration for non-matriculated students will open, space available.
Contact
DCP’s Director, Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski via DCP’s email address: info {at} dcpmail {dot} org
or write to us at:
Dolphin Communication Project
P.O. Box 7485
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34985